From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Axle flange failure, exhaust cut-out, and side steering tube spring adjustments.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0185 | |
| Date | 9th August 1933 | |
| To Mr. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} W. Hancock, c/o Hotel de France, Chateauroux, Indre, FRANCE. To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}, from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} Thank you for your axle flange and your temperature charts, these are interesting. The temperature charts show us exactly what is happening. The axle flange failure is explained by a bad dimension on the drawing which cut the thickness down, at the point where it was fractured, to 1/2 of the correct amount. Cut-out. They have complained on test that the expansion of the exhaust system causes the cut-out control to foul the equaliser shaft. We have not found that this is so on our cars, and should like to know your experience. Side Steering Tube. The stiffer side steering tube springs which Roberts brought out to you have been standardised. We therefore want you to run with them. You can get any degree of set up you like provided you do not over-stress the springs. A compromise we suggest is that the springs should be arranged in position to be 1.900" long, i.e. .095 set up, and then backed to go back the usual .005 so that they grip the ball. Under these conditions you get 100 lbs. load on the ball, instead of about 60 lbs. with the original spring. If this gives a steering which is still to spongy, pack up the spring in its normal working position until you get what you want for selectivety, but, the only thing you must watch is that the total deflection of the spring under a road shock from its normal free length of 1.995 is not greater than .250, i.e. if the spring is ever compressed to a length less than 1.750" it will be over-stressed. We quite believe that you may find the best condition of running may be with .275 set up on the spring, and only .025 movement under shock. We should go to a side steering tube end similar to a cross steering tube/were it not for the end | ||